Chase, Frockt get State senate leadership posts

State Sens. Maralyn Chase and David Frockt will have new leadership posts when the Legislature convenes in January.

Senate Democrats have nominated Frockt to be Senate Democratic floor leader, the third ranking post in the Democratic leadership.

Senate Democrats announced their elected leaders and committee assignments Tuesday.

The Senate Democratic caucus also nominated Chase to be chairwoman of the Senate’s new Workforce Development Committee.

Democrats have nominated Frockt to be co-chairman of a new select committee on education finance and results, charged with finding ways to meet the court-ordered requirement to provide adequate financial support for public schools. Senate Republicans will select the other co-chair.

The committee will continue the work of a legislative task force looking for ways to comply with the state Supreme Court ruling in the McCleary case.

“Fully funding education and insuring that our investment produces the best possible outcomes for the schoolchildren of our state is the most important task facing the new Legislature and the new administration,” Frockt said. “I am humbled that the majority leader and my colleagues have assigned to me the solemn responsibility of co-chairing this proposed joint select committee.”

Frockt will retain his position on the Senate Health Care Committee.

Chase will lead the five-member Workforce Development Committee, assigned to focus on job training and creation with the goal of matching Washingtonians with family-wage jobs.

“There is no more important issue facing our state than job creation,” Chase said. “This proposed committee is a direct answer to our mission of finding every Washingtonian a job. The prospect of being on the frontline of such a noble task is an honor. I look forward to tackling this new responsibility with all the enthusiasm it deserves.”

Chase has a record in workforce development, having served on the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Board for many years. She also ran a job-training program for disabled and disadvantaged adults.

In addition to her new assignment, Chase was also recommended to serve as vice chair of the newly named Agriculture, Trade & Economic Development Committee and to also serve on the Environment & Growth Management Committee.

Chase represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, south Edmonds, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace.

Frockt represents the 46th District, including Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.